In youth ministry, the word “program” can bring different responses. Some want to shy away, while others understand that “program” relates to the strategy, systems, and resources you use to carry out ministry. Whether you created it all on your own or you use outside resources, we all have a program. Here are three powerful advantages of having an effective youth ministry program.
1. Effective Programs Focus Your Ministry Objectives
An effective youth ministry program will have focused biblical objectives. I believe the following objectives represent a great starting point for every youth ministry:
- Evangelism: Teach students the why and how of sharing the gospel with their friends. Then take them places and give them opportunities to talk to people about Jesus. (Acts 1:8)
- Spiritual Growth: Show students how to grow in their walk with Jesus including daily Scripture reading, application, and prayer. (2 Peter 3:18)
- Service: Help students discover and use their spiritual gifts in service to others. (1 Peter 4:10)
- Disciple-Making: Equip students to disciple others, including friends they lead to Christ. (Matthew 28:18-20)
2. Effective Programs Offer Systems to Help You Do Ministry Better
You didn’t get into Youth Ministry to spend most of your time organizing. An effective program will give you a system that allows you to focus your time on building relationships with students. Your program should have tools to help in these areas:
- Calendar management
- Attendance tracker
- Small group leader guide
- Spiritual growth tracker
Check out the Fifty1 Multiply! App which has helped countless leaders in every one of these areas and more.
3. Effective Programs Offer Resources to Save You Time and Money
You can spend hours each week creating your own resources. But if time is money, the cost will be high. Using outside resources will provide quality materials at a fraction of the cost. Consider resources in these key areas:
- Curriculum: Finding a biblical, flexible, and downloadable curriculum from a trusted source will save you time as you adapt it to the needs of your youth.
- Daily Devotional: Students who use a devotional get a structured approach to Bible reading, application, and prayer which can accelerate their growth.
- Disciple-Making: If one of your objectives is to guide students to disciple their friends, then it is vital you have a resource to guide them in this.
- Volunteer Training: It’s important to look for online training that’s available 24/7 so you can provide quality training to equip your volunteer staff.
The Word of Life Quiet Time Interactive is a great devotional and disciple-making resource.
As I said in the beginning, we all have a program. Is your program creating momentum by relentlessly focusing your ministry with great strategies, systems and resources? If not, finding an organization that helps you put all this together could be a big win for you. Fifty1 Student Ministry is an effective program that specializes in bringing you these three advantages in a flexible system that you and your leaders will love.
John is the Director of Word of Life Youth Ministries. He and his wife Pam have served with Word of Life for over 33 years in several regions including Southern California and North East Pennsylvania. They currently live in upstate NY where John has been serving in his current role since November, 2014.